Coffee Shop Incident There was only one other couple in the café. We got our coffees and sat down at a different table. The early morning coffee tasted even better because it was snowing outside. The businessman I was meeting was burdened. Memories of many coffees like this decades ago helped the stories to flow. …
When we were last in Canada we spoke of our dreams of being able to open a home for women where they could really find healing and transformation. A place where they would live for up to a year and receive healing, training, and discipleship. As we all know, we need to walk …
A sign of God’s presence is unsolicited spiritual conversations. This week I was getting our car fixed. The manager was a beautiful lady in her mid-twenties. As I was paying the bill I noticed a one-word script tattoo on her arm. I asked her what it said. “Resiliencia (translation: Resilient)“. I nodded, paid the bill and drove off. …
To all who mourn in Israel he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. Isaiah 61:3 My friend grew up in New York in the …
Clenildo sets a fishing net in the Tapajós River. Clenildo told me a story about two of his friends who both died recently because of COVID-19. “Ademir spent his life spreading the gospel in the Xingu Region. When Ademir got some money, he invested it in spreading the gospel. Ademir is a modern-day hero. “I …
An egret flies over the Santarém fish market. The Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit wanted the best possible relationship with the people who they had created in their own image. They envisioned heartfelt repentance, reconciliation, and the freedom to celebrate lavishly. Some of the Old Testament leaders understood what God meant. Take David, for …
Jesus said God adopts people who make peace. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). The angels prophesied Jesus and peace on earth. “. . . Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:9-14). Jesus said He came to …
Deanna and I continue to work with small groups and individuals. I see this as a season to develop pilot projects and training systems which will multiply in the future. We are looking for keys to unlock a viral-type of church growth in the Amazon. One key will be how to get past people’s assumptions …
This week our front gate broke. I called a friend who called an acquaintance. A young man arrived on an old motorbike with a bald front tire from way across town. As he was working on the gate motor he answered a few of my conversational questions. “I am a Christian from the Assemblies of …
Possibly the hardest part of church planting is to successfully develop transformative communities out of people who were far from God. It starts by getting to know them. We have planted churches in unchurched communities. Very soon, in two different communities I am remembering right now, two or three other church plants suddenly appeared from …